NASA Honors Lunar Scientist for Research Contributions

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. – G. Jeffrey Taylor received the Shoemaker Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award during a ceremony at the Lunar Science Forum on July 19, 2011 at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The award is given annually to a scientist who has significantly contributed to the field of lunar science.

Taylor, a planetary science faculty member at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, specializes in planetary volcanology, igneous processes and extraterrestrial materials. He uses a combination of petrology, geochemistry, field observations and remote sensing and theory to address problems in planetary science. Taylor was also awarded the Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science in 2008. He received his PhD in Geology from Rice University.

“In view of his many fundamental and far-reaching contributions to lunar science and his leadership efforts such as serving as the founding director of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, Dr. Taylor is exceptionally deserving of this medal,” said Yvonne Pendleton, director of the NASA Lunar Science Institute. “We are proud to present him with this honor.”

The first Distinguished Lunar Scientist Award was given posthumously in 2009 to Gene Shoemaker and presented to his wife, Carolyn, for Shoemaker’s many contributions to the lunar geological sciences.

For more information about the NASA Lunar Science Institute, visit: http://lunarscience.nasa.gov/